Toilet paper cabinet



P 1966 B. E. SMITHERS TOILET PAPER CABINET Filed Sept. 29, 1964 FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

BETHEL E. SMITHERS BY z 4/ United States Patent 3,271,090 TOILET PAPER CABINET Bethe] E. Smithers, 1036 Shawnee Circle, Memphis, Tenn. Filed Sept. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 400,135 6 Claims. (Cl. 312-41) This invention relates to a toilet paper cabinet and particularly relates to a cabinet for storing and dispensing the paper of open core type toilet paper rolls.

Presently, the prevailing practice is to market toilet paper in the form of paper rolls having a cylindrical core opening, or open core type paper rolls. These rolls are rotatably mounted in various ways for the dispensation of the paper thereof. Many devices are available for dispensing the paper of such paper rolls. Generally, such devices include a rack or roll holder attached to the bathroom wall and a removable spindle for rotatably supporting the roll of paper as it is being used.

The present invention is directed toward improving the design and construction of prior toilet paper storing and dispensing means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet paper storing and dispensing device which includes an upper chamber for housing a roll of paper to be used, or a service roll of paper, and a lower chamber for storing a plurality of replacement rolls of paper.

A further object is to provide a toilet paper cabinet which is adapted to be recess-mounted in a bathroom wall, thereby occupying only a minimum amount of bathroom area or space.

A further object is to provide a toilet paper cabinet which includes a door for concealing the service roll when the paper of that roll is not being dispensed, thus providing a neat-appearing and esthetically pleasing device.

A further object is to provide, in the cabinet device of the present invention, means operable with the opening of the cabinet door for moving the paper roll outwardly or forwardly to a position convenient to the user.

A further object is to provide a toilet paper cabinet of such design as to prevent small children, in unwatched moments of playfulness or curiosity, from such acts as unwinding the toilet paper roll and cluttering the bathroom.

A further object is to provide a substantially simple and durable device which is easy to use and trouble-free in operation.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cabinet shown mounted in a bathroom wall and with the door being disposed upwardly and in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken as on the line IIII of FIG. 1 and with the paper rolls and the roll support spindle being shown in broken lines for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the door being swung downwardly and in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the cabinet with the door open, as in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken as on the line VV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows the roll support means and the roll supporting spindle member of the device.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the cabinet 11 is shown mounted in a bathroom wall 13 and in conjunction with rolls of paper, indicated by numerals 15 and 17. Cabinet 3,271,090 Patented Sept. 6, 1966 11 includes principally a hollow elongated body structure 19, a door 21, and roll handling means operable with the opening and closing of door 21.

Cabinet body structure 19 is preferably constructed of any suitable material, as, for example, sheet metal, plastic or the like, and includes a rear body member 23 and a front body member 25. Rear body member 23 is disposed vertically in bathroom wall 13 and comprises the main body structure of cabinet 11. Rear body member 23 is box-like and of straight wall construction and is substantially rectangular in cross-section. Rear body member 23 is preferably press-formed of a single piece of sheet metal material and includes a back wall 27, opposing side walls 29, and upper and lower end walls 31. The forward edge portions of side walls 29 and end walls 31 are preferably deformed outwardly to provide a rectangular flange 35.

Front body member is preferably press-formed and of substantially shallow and scoop-like configuration. Front body member 25 includes a front wall 37, a pair of opposing and shallow side walls 39, and an end wall 41. A flanged portion 43 is provided at the opposing side walls 39 and end wall 41 and along three sides of front body member 25.

Front and rear body members 23, 25 are jointed along respective flanges 35, 43 to provide body structure 19. Members 23, 25 are spot welded or otherwise securely fastened together at the respective flanges 35, 43 to provide a sturdy construction.

Door 21 is hinged to the upper edge portion of front body member 25. Door 21 is of a construction somewhat like front body member 25 and includes a front wall 45, a pair of side walls 47, and an end wall 49. A flanged portion 51 is provided and extends outwardly from the respective side walls 47 and end wall 49. A piano-type hinge 53 preferably hinges door 21 from front body member 25. Door 21 is movable to and from upwardly closed and downwardly open positions, as best seen in FIG. 3.

A friction latch 55, including latch halves secured to the respective flange portions of door 21 and body structure 19, provides the latch means of cabinet 11. A knob 57 is securely attached to flange portion 51- adjacent end wall 49 of door 21 and provides finger-grip means for opening and closing door 21. Screw or nail fastening means, as indicated by numeral 59, attach cabinet 11 in an aperture provided in bathroom wall 13. The fastening means 59 are preferably extended through apertures in flanges and 43 and into the wall studs or other supporting structure.

Cabinet 11 includes an upper chamber 61 and a lower chamber 63. Upper chamber 61 houses the service roll of toilet paper 15 or that roll being dispensed, and lower chamber 63 provides storage space for replacement rolls of paper 17. Preferably body structure 19 is of such size to accommodate two replacement rolls 17 in end-to-end disposition.

The roll handling means is provided for handling service poll of paper 15 and is operable with the opening and closing of door 21. The roll handling means principally includes a U-shaped member 65, roll supporting spindle means, and connecting means for interconnecting door 21 and member 65. U-shaped member 65 is preferably formed of rectangular-sectioned strap metal and includes an intermediate portion 67 and a pair of opposingly arranged and parallel arm portions 69. U-shaped member 65 is pivotally mounted is upper chamber 61 and is pivobable about a substantially horizontal axis. A pair of pivot pins 71, extending respectively through apertures in arm portions 69 and side walls 29, pivotally attach member 65 to body structure 19. A slot is formed in the distal end portion of each arm portion 69, prov-iding a pair of slots 73. A spindle 75 of conventional form is supported from member 65 between arm portions 69. oppositely extending spindle end pins 77 are received respectively in slots 73 and rotatably support spindle 75 and service roll 15.

The roll support means of cabinet 11 has been illustrated and described as including spindle 75 and pair of slots 73. It is, of course, understood that various other well-known means for supporting a roll of toilet paper may be substituted for the roll support means shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The connecting link means of the roll handling mechanism of the device preferably includes a pair of links 79. Each link 79 is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the distal end portion of a respective arm portion 69, and pivotally attached at the other end thereof to a respective side wall 47 of door 21. Rivets 81, extending respectively through links 79, U-shaped member 65, and door 21, articulatingly connect door 21 and the roll handling mechanism of the device. A (pair of collar-like spacer members 83 are mounted on pivot pins 71 and are disposed respectively between the arm portions 69 of U-shaped member 65 and the inside surface of wall 29 of body structure 119. Spacer members 83 provide space for the pair of links 79 to move freely when door 21 is moved to and from closed and open positions. Sight apertures 85 are preferably provided in the front walls of door 21 and body member 25 for determining the presence or absence of the toilet paper rolls without opening the cabinet door.

From the foregoing it is thought that the use of cabinet 11 has become apparent; however, for completeness of disclosure, the use or operative functions of the device will be further described briefly, as follows: The two replacement rolls 17 are preferably placed in the lower chamber 63 of cabinet 11 before a service roll is mounted on the roll handling mechanism in upper chamber 61. Without a service roll of paper mounted in the upper chamber, ample space is provided for the insertion of the replacement rolls by passing them between the arm portions 69 of U-shaped member 65, as best seen in FIG. 5. After replacement rolls 17 have been placed in the lower chamber 63 of cabinet 11, the service roll 15 may then be mounted in the conventional manner by \passing spindle member 75 through the open core of the roll and mounting the spindle and roll on U-shaped member 65 in a conventional manner. When the service ro'll has been depleted, the user has only to remove a replacement roll 17 from lower chamber 63 and mount it on the roll supporting spindle of the device.

Door 21, in addition to concealing the service roll of paper, also provides means for actuating the roll handling mechanism of the device. Thus, as door 21 is moved from a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, .to an open position, as shown in FIG. 3, the pivotal action of the door uncovers the service roll and moves it forwardly from the upper chamber 61. In other words, as door 21 is swung open, it causes links 79 to move and pull on the upper ends of arm portions 69, which swings U- shaped member 65 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 3, to move the roll carrying distal ends of arm portions 69 from inside of chamber 61 to a position out of the chamber so that roll 15 projects out of cabinet body structure 19 in position for use. As door 21 is closed, the reverse of the above action is carried out, and the service roll is pivotally moved rearwardly and is covered by the door.

The toilet paper cabinet of the present invention is neat in appearance and occupies a minimum of bathroom space. It is substantially simple and durable. It is easy to use and provides trouble-free service. In summary, the present invention provides a very practical cabinet for storing and dispensing toilet paper.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof,

it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A toilet paper cabinet adapted to be fixed to a bathroom wall for dispensing the paper of an open core type toilet paper roll, said cabinet comprising a hollow body structure having a front body member, a door hingedly secured on said front body member with said door being hinged on a horizontal axis and supported from said front body member and movable in a arc toward and away from upward-1y closed and downwardly open positions, roll handling means including a pair of arms pivotally secured from said body structure and with each am having a distal portion, said pair of arms being op posedly arranged and pivotable together, said roll handling means including roll support means for supporting a roll of paper between said pair of arms, and connecting link means interconnecting said door and said distal portions of said pair of arms said roll handling means being adapted for respectively presenting a roll of paper for the dispensation thereof and concealing said roll responsive respectively to opening and closing said door.

2. The cabinet of claim 1 in which said roll support means comprises a slot in each arm of said pair of arms defining a pair of slots, and a spindle member removably received in said pair of slots, said spindle member being adapted to extend through the open core of said roll while said roll is being rotatably supported between said pair of arms.

3. The cabinet of claim 1 which includes latch means for disengageably securing said door and said body structure together with said door in a closed position.

4. A toilet paper storage and dispensing cabinet adapted to be mounted in a bathroom wall for storing and dispensing the paper of open core type toilet paper rolls, said cabinet comprising a substantially straightsided rectangular cross-sectioned elongated hollow body structure disposed vertically and including an upper portion and a lower portion defining respectively an :upper chamber and a lower chamber, said cabinet being adapted to house a service roll of paper in said upper chamber and to store a plurality of replacement rolls of paper in said lower chamber, said body structure being recessmounted in said bathroom wall and having a front body member, a door disposed vertically and covering said upper chamber of said body structure, said door being hinged on a horizontal axis and supported from said body structure and movable toward and away from upwardly closed and downwardly open positions, roll handling means comprising a pair of arms pivotally secured from said body structure with said pair of arms being substantially integrally secured and pivotable together, said roll hand-ling means including roll support means for supporting a roll of paper between said pair of arms, and connecting link means interconnecting said door and said pair of arms, for corresponding rotational movement of said door and said pair of arms, said roll handling means being adapted for respectively presenting said service roll of paper for the dispensation thereof and concealing said service roll when same is not being dispensed responsive respectively to opening and closing said door.

5. A toilet paper storage and dispensing cabinet adapted to be mounted in a bathrom wall for storing and dispensing the paper of open core type toilet paper rolls, said cabinet comprising a substantially straight-sided rectangular cross-sectioned elongated hollow body structure disposed vertically and including an upper portion and a lower portion defining respectively an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said body structure being recess-mounted in said bathroom wall and having a front body member, a door disposed vertically and covering said upper chamber of said body structure, said door being hinged on a horizontal axis and supported from said body structure and movable toward and away from rupw-ardly closed and downwardly open positions, roll handling means including a U-shaped member pivotally secured from said body structure and including a pair of arms having a slot in each arm of said pair of arms defining a pair of slots, a spindle member removably received in said pair of slots, said cabinet being adapted to house a service roll of paper in said upper chamber and to store replacement rolls of paper in said lower chamber, said spindle member being adapted to extend through the open core of said service roll of paper and removably support said service roll between said pair of arms, and connecting link means interconnecting said door and said pair of arms said roll handling means being responsive to Opening and closing of said door to respectively present said service roll of paper for the dispensation thereof and to conceal said service roll of paper when same is not being dispensed.

6. A toilet paper cabinet adapted to be fixed to a bathroom wall for dispensing toilet paper, said cabinet comprising a hollow body structure having a front body member, said hollow body structure being provided with an upper chamber and a lower chamber in c0mmunication with said upper chamber, a door on said front body member of said body structure adjacent the upper end thereof providing access to said upper chamber, means hingedly connecting said door and said body structure for movement between open and closed positions, roll handling means including a service roll of toilet paper and a pair of arms supporting said service roll of paper, means pivotally supporting said arms from said body structure for movement between a first position in which said service roll of paper is supported in said upper chamber and a second position in which said service roll of paper projects outwardly of said body structure beyond said front side, rigid link means pivotally connected adjacent one end to said door and pivotally connected adjacent the opposite end to at least one of said arms for moving said service roll of paper from said first position to said second position responsive to movement of said door from said-closed position to said open position and for moving said service roll of paper from said second position to said first position responsive to movement of said door from said open position to said closed position, at least one replacement roll of toilet paper in said lower chamber, said arms being spaced apart to provide access therebetween to said lower chamber for removing said replacement roll of toilet paper when it is desired to replace said service roll of toilet paper.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,897,969 2/1933 Graham 24255.53 2,286,830 6/ 1942 Ressinger 312-127 2,386,408 10/ 1945 Schiff 312242 X 2,407,971 9/ 1946 Black 312242 X 2,649,270 7/1953 Franks 312276 X 3,062,606 11/ 1962 Magrauth 312-41 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner. 

1. A TOILET PAPER CABINET ADAPTED TO BE FIXED TO A BATHROOM WALL FOR DISPENSING THE PAPER OF AN OPEN CORE TYPE TOILET PAPER ROLL, SAID CABINET COMPRISING A HOLLOW BODY STRUCTURE HAVING A FRONT BODY MEMBER, A DOOR HINGEDLY SECURED ON SAID FRONT BODY MEMBER WITH SAID DOOR BEING HINGED ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND SUPPORTED FROM SAID FRONT BODY MEMBER AND MOVABLE IN A 180* ARC TOWARD AND AWAY FROM UPWARDLY CLOSED AND DOWNWARDLY OPEN POSITIONS, ROLL HANDLING MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF ARMS PIVOTALLY SECURED FROM SAID BODY STRUCTURE AND WITH EACH ARM HAVING A DISTAL PORTION, SAID PAIR OF ARMS BEING OPPOSEDLY ARRANGED AND PIVOTABLE TOGETHER, SAID ROLL HANDLING MEANS INCLUDING ROLL SUPPORT MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A ROLL OF PAPER BETWEEN SAID PAIR OF ARMS, AND CONNECTING LINK MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID DOOR AND SAID DISTAL PORTIONS OF SAID PAIR OF ARMS SAID ROLL HANDLING MEANS BEING ADAPTED FOR RESPECTIVELY PRESENTING A ROLL OF PAPER FOR THE DISPENSATION THEREOF AND CONCEALING SAID ROLL RESPONSIVE RESPECTIVELY TO OPENING AND CLOSING SAID DOOR. 